Aug. 19, 2026
Good day, and welcome to the Fairfax County NewsCenter podcast. Coming up, learn about the West Park Fairfax Connector Store in McLean, dog days at the Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole, propane cylinders, Switch Together and the annual Oak Hill Open House. Links to topics mentioned in this podcast can be found online at fairfaxcounty.gov.
Effective Wednesday, August 19, the West Park Fairfax Connector Store in McLean has permanently closed, however, a new Fairfax Connector Store has opened at the Monument Drive Commuter Parking Garage and Transit Center in Fairfax. Located at one of Fairfax County's busiest commuter hubs, the new Fairfax Connector Store provides a convenient one-stop shop for transit riders throughout Northern Virginia. Customers can purchase or reload Smart Trip cards, purchase transit fares for regional transit providers, purchase E-ZPass transponders, receive trip-planning assistance and get information about other transportation resources while connecting to bus service, free commuter parking and secure bike storage along the I-66 corridor. The Monument Drive Transit Center, located at 12113 Government Center Parkway in Fairfax, will operate Monday, Tuesday and Thursday from 6:30 to 10:30 a.m. and 3 to 7 p.m. With the opening of the Monument Drive location, Fairfax Connector will continue to operate six Connector Stores across Fairfax County.
Is your best furry friend ready to make a splash this September? Come out to The Water Mine for a dogs only swimming extravaganza on Saturday, Sept. 12 from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. The Water Mine’s pools, sprays, showers and water playgrounds are the ultimate way for you and your dog to end the summer season. Whether your pooch prefers to frolic through the sprays or float in the water, Dog Daze is the perfect place to make more dog-loving friends, entertain the whole family and have a doggone good time. Entry costs $15 per dog, and all proceeds go to benefit parks through the Fairfax County Park Foundation. Buy tickets in advance to secure your dog’s spot — purchase tickets at the door if capacity allows. The Water Mine Family Swimmin’ Hole at Lake Fairfax is located at 1400 Lake Fairfax Drive, Reston. For more information, visit The Water Mine webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/dogs.
Even if a propane cylinder seems empty, it can still contain enough residual gas to be dangerous. Because propane cylinders remain pressurized, they should never be placed in household trash or recycling carts. Improper disposal can create serious safety risks for collection crews and waste facilities. Instead, take propane cylinders to an approved collection or exchange location where they can be safely handled or recycled. Most hardware stores, gas stations, and many grocery stores will take back cylinders at no cost. You can also drop them off at the Household Hazardous Waste collection site at the I-66 Transfer Station or the I-95 Landfill Complex for a small fee. By taking a few extra minutes to dispose of hazardous materials correctly, you’re helping prevent fires and keeping Fairfax County safe.
If you’re enjoying this podcast and want to hear more about the people and programs of Fairfax County Government, listen to the “County Conversation” podcast. You can find it, and several other county podcasts, at fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts.
Fairfax County residents now have extra time this year to take advantage of a popular solar program, making it easier to lock in savings and add clean energy to the grid. Switch Together, a solar purchasing program for residents in the National Capital Region, is now open through November 18. This extended timeline gives homeowners and small businesses more flexibility to explore their options, compare quotes, and plan for installation. If you’ve been on the fence about solar, this extension offers a valuable second chance. Visit fairfaxcounty.gov and search “Going Solar” to learn more.
Take a step inside one of Fairfax County’s oldest homes during the annual Oak Hill Open House on Friday, Sept. 25, from 4 to 7 p.m. Visitors can explore historic Oak Hill Manor and gardens and discover the people, stories and craftsmanship that shaped this remarkable piece of Fairfax County history. New this year, timed-entry tickets will be required for all visitors wishing to tour the interior of the historic home. To provide a comfortable and enjoyable experience for guests, 50 tickets will be available for each half-hour entry period, beginning at 4 p.m., with the final entry at 6:30 p.m. Tours of the historic boxwood gardens, an outdoor docent-led talk highlighting the history of Oak Hill and the stories typically shared during the house tour, and other on-site activities are free and open to the public. No ticket is required to enjoy these outdoor experiences. Located at 4716 Wakefield Chapel Road in Annandale, Oak Hill is a private residence and is only open to the public during this annual event. Visitors are encouraged to carpool and use parking on the residential streets adjacent to Oak Hill. For more information about Oak Hill and this year’s open house, visit the Oak Hill webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/parks/oak dash hill.
Finally, subscribe to “Weekender,” the county’s weekend arts and entertainment e-newsletter. “Weekender” brings together offerings from around the county and delivers that info right to your inbox. Don’t miss out on fun happenings throughout the county. Subscribe to “Weekender” at www.fairfaxcounty.gov/news/weekender.
That’s all for this NewsCenter podcast. Thanks for listening. For more information about the topics in this podcast and for news updates, visit fairfaxcounty.gov/news. Follow the NewsCenter podcast on soundcloud.com/fairfaxcounty and our podcasts webpage, fairfaxcounty.gov/podcasts. You can also listen 24/7 online to Fairfax County Government Radio at fairfaxcounty.gov/radio. If you have questions, call 703-FAIRFAX, that’s 703-324-7329, weekdays between 8 a.m. and 4:30 p.m. or email publicaffairs@fairfaxcounty.gov. The NewsCenter podcast is produced by the Fairfax County, Virginia, Government.
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